Exciting news out of Ireland and the U.S., by FAN

January 26, 2014  

Before we get to the incredibly exciting news out of Ireland and the U.S., we would like to remind you to please continue sharing FAN’s latest press release throughout this week. Sunday was the 70^th Anniversary of Fluoridation in the U.S. and the fluoride-lobby is planning a massive PR campaign to capitalize on the milestone. It’s up to us to set the record straight, so please continue to send the press release to your local media outlets and share it on social media, along with our Professional Perspectives video, our 10 Facts video, and FAN’s advocacy handouts.
Second Irish Victory in 2015

2015 could be the biggest year yet in the worldwide campaign to end fluoridation. While we may not be able to end the practice entirely this year, it is possible that we could see the end of national fluoridation mandates, as well as see the beginning of the end for statewide mandates in the U.S.   
In 2012, the Australian state of Queensland ended their fluoridation mandate. In 2014, Israel’s Minister of Health ended their national mandate, leaving Ireland as the only remaining country with a national fluoridation policy. Now the dominoes are falling in Ireland with the second major community calling for an end to fluoridation in 2015 and the 7^th in the past year. 

On January 12, the elected County Council in Leitrim, Ireland (pop. 39,000) passed a motion calling on the Government to amend the Health (Fluoridation of Water) Act 1960 and subsequent Statutory Instrument (42/2007 Fluoridation of Water Supplies Regulations 2007), and to ban the addition of fluoride to water supplies.” The motion received unanimous support from the council. 

When contacted for further comment Leitrim Councilor Barry (SF) said:

“That the policy of adding fluoride to water needed to stop...This is a neuro toxic industrial waste which can cause damage to the nervous system.  Fluoridation is banned in 98% of European countries.  The Irish government continues to impose fluoride on the Irish people and on top of that it is now forcing us to pay for it through water charges.  The European Commission is on record as saying people do not need fluoride for normal growth and development.  Fluoridation of water needs to stop immediately.”

On the same day, January 12^th, the Wexford County Council—representing approximately 150,000 residents--passed the same motion. The votes come only a few months after Cork and Dublin, the two largest cities in the country passed motions along with Cork County Council and Laois County Council doing so earlier in 2014. Together these councils represent approximately 1.7 million residents.

While local and county councils don’t have the authority to end fluoridation in Ireland the continued passage of the motions against fluoridation cannot be ignored for much longer. The Irish Government is coming under mounting national cross-party political pressure to end public water fluoridation in the run up to the impending General Election planned for 2016.

For more information on the victory in Leitrim, please visit the Fluoride Free Towns campaign and “like” their Facebook page.

Legislation in Two U.S. States Ending Mandatory Fluoridation
Ireland isn’t the only part of the world where residents are fed up with mandated fluoridation. In the U.S., where a dozen or so states have mandates, legislators are starting to introduce bills to give local communities a choice in the matter. Already in 2015 mandate reversing legislation has been introduced in Connecticut and Minnesota, with more states possibly introducing similar bills this legislative session. 
In Connecticut, where fluoridation is mandated for all communities with 20,000 or more residents, several Senators are co-sponsoring a bill that would eliminate this requirement. For those of you who live in Connecticut and would like to get involved in this campaign, please contact local organizers Connecticut Families Against Chemical Trespass.
In Minnesota, where fluoridation in mandated in all public water systems, Representatives Jeff Howe and Ron Kresha have co-sponsored a bill that would give municipalities the ability to opt-out of the fluoridation mandate by amending their city charters to prohibit the practice. If you live in Minnesota and would like to get involved in this campaign you can contact local organizers Earth Protectors or email FAN’s Campaign Manager (stuart@fluoridealert.org).
Dallas Vote this Wednesday

City councilors in Dallas, Texas will be voting on fluoridation this Wednesday, January 28. Campaigners there need all the help they can get these last few days before the vote. Please help by: 

            -Submitting written testimony: citysecretary@dallascityhall.com 

            -Signing the Dallas Petition
Learn more by visiting Fluoride Action North Texas’ website, Facebook page, or by viewing their latest press release on the vote.
January’s Teleconference Audio

If you missed this month’s International Fluoride Free Teleconference you can now download the audio. The call was dedicated to fluoride activists from around the world and featured a variety of campaigners sharing their 2015 campaign goals, discussing strategy, and requesting support from fellow activists. If you’re involved with a fluoride-free campaign or hope to start one, you should download the audio today.
News you may have missed

-Focus on Fluoridation Wrong: Kids Suffering (New Zealand)
-Peel Councilor Wants Fluoride Debate Reopened (Ontario, Canada)
-Water Costs Up; Fluoride Coming… (Arkansas)
-Cleveland Community Coalition Calling for End of Fluoridation (Ohio)
-Gillette: Elevated Fluoride Levels (Wyoming)
-Report Documents Communities at Higher Risk for Chemical Catastrophe (U.S.)

-Fluoridation Could Stop in Dallas on Jan. 28 (Texas)

Sincerely,

 

Stuart Cooper

Campaign Director

Fluoride Action Network